Xerxes lived from 520 - 465 B.C. He was the grandson of Cyrus and the son of Darius. These kings are often referred to as the Achaemenid Dynasty, although not all were blood related, they their married an Achaemenid to be a part of the dynasty, and bore children with an Achamenid women to continue the Royal line. Darius was not son of Cyrus the Great, however, he divorced his wife Gobryas and married Atossa, daughter of Cyrus. This is how he became Cyrus’ heir. Attossa and Darius had a few children, the most important being Xerxes, as he was the eldest sons. There was a battle between Xerxes and Artabanszes who was the eldest son of Gobryas and Daruis. However, Xerxes was proclaimed heir and claimed so when Daruis had died. Xerxes had aimed to conquer Greece, just as Daruis had been trying to. Unfortunately for both kings, Greece was never conquered by the Persians. Xerxes then took to building Persepolis, with great building, reliefs and decorative features.
XERXES THE GREAT
Xerxes lived from 520 - 465 B.C. He was the grandson of Cyrus and the son of Darius. These kings are often referred to as the Achaemenid Dynasty, although not all were blood related, they their married an Achaemenid to be a part of the dynasty, and bore children with an Achamenid women to continue the Royal line. Darius was not son of Cyrus the Great, however, he divorced his wife Gobryas and married Atossa, daughter of Cyrus. This is how he became Cyrus’ heir. Attossa and Darius had a few children, the most important being Xerxes, as he was the eldest sons. There was a battle between Xerxes and Artabanszes who was the eldest son of Gobryas and Daruis. However, Xerxes was proclaimed heir and claimed so when Daruis had died. Xerxes had aimed to conquer Greece, just as Daruis had been trying to. Unfortunately for both kings, Greece was never conquered by the Persians. Xerxes then took to building Persepolis, with great building, reliefs and decorative features.
Herodotus (HDT) Books 7, 8, and 9 are the main ancient sources on Xerxes. (http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/xerxes/g/Xerxes.htm)
Here is a Digital Story of Xerxes which will give you an idea of his rise to power, reign, and overall Kingship.
PLAY ME! :)
For some more information about Xerxes - Click here! :)
http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/xerxes.html